“We are excited and grateful for this opportunity,” said Hector Reyna, chief technology officer. “Through the E-rate program we get to offer personalized digital learning opportunities to our students using state-of-the-art, high-capability networks, and expand our technology initiatives.”

The federal program is designed to bridge the digital divide between more affluent suburban students and urban students who are at or below the poverty line.

With the help of the E-rate program, SISD has been able to create and enhance a 21st century network infrastructure to support the more than 11,000 students with laptops, tablets, and other mobile devices for digital learning.

“SISD is dedicated to ensuring the highest caliber of education for all of its students,” said Craig Gunderson, president of Conterra Networks, the district’s WAN provider. “It has invested and planned for the future of its students by implementing one of the most technologically advanced school district broadband networks found in Texas and the United States.”

This year, the E-rate funds, which are based on the number of students who qualify for free and reduced price meals (71.2 percent), will cover 80 percent of the costs for the network connectivity, the fiber services and the network electronics at Carrasco Elementary.

In the last six years, SISD has qualified for more than $11.4 million in E-rate funds, which has allowed the district to provide reliable, high-speed connectivity in services and network equipment for increased digital teaching and learning.

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